This briefing answers some of the most frequently asked questions from NEU members – for full details of our advice and to download the checklist please visit www.neu.org.uk/coronvirus - if you have any concerns talk to your NEU Rep or contact your local office.

1.         Who should remain at home?

The NEU believes that the following staff should remain at home:

·         those who have developed Covid-19 symptoms - a consistent cough or fever or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

·         those who are in either of the vulnerable groups identified by the government

·         those who live with, or care for someone, in either of the vulnerable groups identified by the government

2.         What about Black staff?

There is strong evidence that Covid-19 has a disproportionate impact on Black people. The NEU believes that Black staff who feel that they may be at risk should be allowed to work from home.

3.         What should I do if I think I should not be in school?

You should refer to the NEU guidance and discuss this with your head. The NEU guidance includes model letters for you to use, if you think you may be vulnerable and should continue working from home.

4.         Can all staff be expected to attend school?

Heads should establish a list of available staff and use this to plan arrangements for reopening to more children. It is not reasonable to expect all staff to be in school for INSET or any other purpose. Government guidelines contain strict measures for contact and social distancing between staff. Contact must be kept to a minimum, therefore staffing should be kept at the minimum to meet the needs of those children attending school.

5.         I am pregnant – can my school start maternity leave early?

If you are sick with Covid-19 or have symptoms the school cannot start your maternity leave early. If you are shielding because you are pregnant, and you are within four weeks of the due date, then the school may do this.

6.  My head has asked me to take unpaid leave

If you are unable to attend work you should tell your head that you are available to work from home – you should not agree to take unpaid leave and should contact the local NEU office. All staff should continue to be paid in the normal way.

7.         I work part-time – can my head change my days or make me full-time?

Your head cannot change your contract or working days without your agreement.

8.         Should teachers or teaching assistants be cleaning classrooms?

No. All areas of the school will need thorough cleaning every day, but this should be done by specialist cleaners, not by teachers or TAs.

There is a full set of guidance, including checklists and model letters on the NEU website www.neu.org.uk/coronavirus

 Supporting civil society organisations Civil society plays a crucial role in supporting London's communities and the work of charities, faith organisations, un-constituted groups and volunteers must be protected during this period of uncertainty. Below, we have provided information on available resources to support civil society through the coronavirus outbreak.

·      If you are a volunteer looking for ways to safely support London's communities during the coronavirus outbreak, please visit HERE      

·      London groups to contact about safe and/or remote volunteering opportunities or community support solutions HERE

·      Regional groups to contact about safe and/or remote volunteering opportunities or community support solutions HERE

·      Find Your Local Group - There are now thousands of local groups across the country. Below is an up-to-date list to help you find your nearest one – HERE

Home Working

It isn’t as easy for Teachers to work from home as other professions.  Many of you will already have been putting together distance learning or online learning projects for the children you teach to complete at home over the next couple of weeks.

What can you be asked to do or not to do?

You are still expected to be available for work during this time.  You may be asked to come in to school at times to teach or supervise key worker children, or to mark and prepare further work. 

You cannot be asked to work outside your normal Directed Time which includes the two week Easter holiday which is scheduled to run in Camden from Saturday 4^th April – Sunday 19^th April.  The government does not have powers to over-ride your contract.

You can be asked if you would be willing to, but as your contract currently stands, you should expect to be paid extra.

If you are looking after or supervising your own children at home then you should let your management know that you are not necessarily available for that whole period.  If you become genuinely ill, or are looking after a sick dependent then you should notify your management in the normal way that you are not available for work for these reasons.  You may be moved to be paid on sick pay or sick dependency leave although if this is due to the Coronavirus you should make sure your management know.

Obviously you cannot come in to work if you’re self-isolating as recommended by Public Health England and you should inform your management in the normal way if you’re not available for work for these reasons.

But I can still be asked to come in to work?

You can, technically, as long as there is no enforced ‘lockdown’ in place or travel bans, unless you fall into any of the categories above.  

If your school is asking you to do something at odds with the above advice, then please contact us.  If this happens before schools close to pupils on Friday then have a Union meeting in your school to agree this advice.

Can I do anything else to help?

One of our members volunteers for Age UK.  Camden Age UK need help with things like sorting and delivering food.  They can be contacted on 020 7239 0400 or info@ageukcamden.org.uk.